Bachelor of Arts in Languages, Literatures and Cultures

at State University of New York at New Paltz USA

The Department of Music strives to educate students by providing a rigorous undergraduate core program in music within the liberal arts context. We aspire to promote integrated student learning through a diversity of offerings within the department and across the campus. Prospective students - majors and non-majors alike - will find a variety of liberal arts and professional courses as well as a full range of performing ensembles. We also offer an extensive series of on-campus concerts involving faculty members, guest performers, students, and student ensembles.

The department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Music, with concentrations in Classical Performance, Jazz Performance, and Recording & Electronic Music, as well as a general music program with broad elective offerings in music genres and history, classical and jazz performance, recording and electronic music, music therapy, and composition.

Computer Engineering continues to be a growth area in the field of engineering due to rapidly changing technologies and expanding industrial needs. SUNY New Paltz's program is designed to meet these needs, both generally and within the Mid-Hudson Valley, specifically. Our goal is to provide students with a solid knowledge of math, science and engineering concepts and the ability to apply them to engineering problems. The flexibility of the engineering curriculum serves full- and part-time students, traditional and non-traditional students, and students new to engineering as well as those who have some experience in technical areas.

The Computer Engineering curriculum consists of a modified General Education requirement, foundation coursework in math and science, required core courses, and technical electives. Design is emphasized throughout the curriculum. The General Education component complements students' engineering education and encourages them to understand engineering roles in a broader context.

The Department of Sociology offers three program options. Students who want exposure to a wide array of sociological topics can major in the basic Sociology program, which includes a set of core course requirements as well as a broad array of elective topics of the student’s choosing. Students may also elect to concentrate in a particular area of sociological study by taking an additional set of prescribed courses in one of two concentrations: Human Services, which will prepare students to work directly with people in need of support; or Criminology, which is designed for students with a focused interest on the issue of crime.

Chemistry at New Paltz offers both undergraduate and masters degree programs. Three undergraduate programs leading to liberal arts degrees are available: the general chemistry major, the American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved chemistry major, and the chemistry major with biochemistry emphasis.

A student who obtains an ACS-approved degree is eligible for employment as a chemist in industry or government. The ACS-approved program also prepares students for graduate study and for professional training in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. Course offerings allow chemistry majors to obtain a broad background in several areas of chemistry.

The biochemistry emphasis is designed for the student interested in biochemistry or health-related sciences requiring a substantial background in chemistry. This program provides excellent preparation for health professional training, as well as for graduate study in clinical chemistry, physiology, and medicinal chemistry. Students take core courses in chemistry and biology and complete the year-long biochemistry sequence.

Latin American & Caribbean Studies is an interdisciplinary program designed to give you a broad understanding Latin America and Caribbean people, societies, cultures, histories, artistic expressions, and diasporic movements. As a LACS major or minor, you will gain extensive knowledge of this vibrant and important world area from a range of disciplinary perspectives including Anthropology, Black Studies, Communications, Economics, Education, Geography, History, Language, Literatures and Cultures, Political Science, Sociology, Theater Arts, and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies.

A major program is offered in French language, literature and culture for students in liberal arts or elementary and secondary education programs. Students are admitted to the major upon completion of Intermediate French or placement.

Communication Studies with concentrations in Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication, Organizational Communication, and Public Relations. The program, which leads to either the bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree, blends technical and theoretical courses that can prepare students for graduate study or a variety of careers. Because communication is closely linked to the technological, social, and cultural forces that are rapidly changing our world, its study affords students a number of ways to pursue their interests and goals. A minor in Communication Studies is also offered.

Students who select a concentration in Public Relations take a combination of theoretical and practical courses in journalism, ethics, persuasion, media and advertising, as well as public relations. The concentration prepares public relations practitioners to become communication experts within corporate, non-profit and government organizations, and public relations agencies. Students learn how to write and design public relations materials and how to plan public relations campaigns and special events. Both oral and written communication skills are emphasized. Learning how to conduct research is also an important component.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy offers majors in both physics and astronomy, serves a variety of other majors in the sciences and education, and offers general education courses to a wide range of students.

The Physics major provides a broad base of fundamentals, yet gives you the opportunity to get specialized training.  First, you take two-semester introductory courses that survey physics, chemistry, and calculus.  Then, you follow up with courses covering classical and modern physics, computational physics, and applied mathematics.  The capstone experience is a senior project.  If you would like, you can pursue topics of interest to you through independent study.  An adviser works closely with you to plan what's best for your situation.

The Political Science/International Relations programs at New Paltz are designed to be both academically sound and responsive to student desires for practical experience and career preparation. A wide range of courses is offered in American government, international relations, political theory, comparative politics, law and law-related fields. In addition to the regular offerings, a number of "selected topics" courses may be given to serve student and community interest in current domestic and international issues.

We offer two majors -- one in Political Science and one in International Relations -- and minors in each of these disciplines, as well as a minor in Law and Politics.